The Flower of Separation

Unfortunately her plan to test out new torture methods was not going to happen today. The moment she felt the presence of a familiar mana Lillian wanted nothing more than to run away. But it was already far too late Lucas had caught her.

His eyes twitched annoyed. "I look away for a moment, and you're suddenly not in your room anymore. I see a rope dangling from the window and a small gap in my barrier."

At those words Lillian sighed. "Of course I would escape. Do you truly think you can keep me locked up like that?"

"Hah." Lucas ran his hands through his hair with his free one. "You have a forty degree fever, any normal person would be dead already. But because of your flame magic, you're used to the heat and the amazing me is by your side."

This arrogant jerk! He always uses this chance to compliment himself. 'While I acknowledge his abilities, it frustrates me.'

Lucas tightened his hold on my arm. "Anyhow, we can discuss this elsewhere."

"Hey Lucas!" Lillian protested.

Normally she would be able to easily pry his arm away but unfortunately she did not have much strength. 'It is weird but I managed to spar a little with Alex. Where did my strength from earlier go?'

"Alex, I'm taking your master away."

Alex chuckled. "Very well. I guess I will deal with the rebels."

"Hey, that isn't fair!" Lillian exclaimed. "Alex, you better leave some for me. I will come back later."

"Like hell you will." Lucas commented irritated as he continued to drag her away.

After walking for a few minutes they arrived in the imperial gardens. Lucas led her to the gazebo and sat her down on the benches.

"You sit."

Lillian exhaled deeply. Isn't he taking this too far? This is not the first time she has had a fever before. She watched Lucas take out some bottles from his small black pouch.

"Other than being worried for me, is there a reason why you came here?" Lillian asked.

With Lucas personality, normally he would avoid entering the imperial castle as much as he possibly can. There are many people in this place who would not hesitate to use him. Actually the ageha family manor is probably the safest place for Lucas to be in the Empire.

There is nobody in that place who is stupid enough to attack Lucas head on.

"I mentioned it before but with the unknown mages situation, you need something that will allow me to get to you faster." Lucas trailed off and rummaged through his pouch and pulled out a small pair of red spider lily shaped earrings.

"It's strangely pretty." Lillian mumbled. "You know how to make things like this?"

"I made it look like a decoration on purpose. The pattern actually conceals the amount of mana it contains." Lucas leaned down and carefully placed it on her ear. "I have already put other protective measures around you, but one cannot be too careful about these things."

"Hmm, I guess my mana has flared up more than usual recently."

"That is because people keep placing curses on you." Lucas trailed off. "I don't understand how they are able to do that now. In the past it was possible yes, but you're the strongest in this Empire when it comes to magic. You should be able to detect those things."

"You just said the answer to your own question there." Her lips curved to a sly smile. "Perhaps the one placing curses on me is stronger."

Lucas flicked her forehead after she said those words.

"You're quick to resort to violence these days."

"It is because your behaviour is too careless." Lucas trailed off. "So when are you going to tell me that you met your Prince charming?"

Lillian blinked when she heard him say those words. It is true that she told Lucas about Aaron before but only briefly.

"Your far too sharp." Lillian nodded. "It is true I saw aaron."

"I'm sure you had the emotional reunion-"

"I stabbed him."

At those words Lucas seemed startled but quickly regained his composure. "Even though you like him?"

Lillian tilted her head innocently when she heard those words. "Sir Lucas, can you read minds now? How can you say something like that with certainty when I have not admitted it out loud?"

A dark aura surrounded Lucas and Lillian chuckled. "It is true that I went this far because of Aaron. However right now there are more important things to deal with."

She cannot allow herself to live in a delusion like she did when she was younger. 'If I show any sign of weakness I will die right away.'

The last twelve years she lost the two people who protected her and had to survive on her own.

"Lucas I-" Her sentence fell short when he cupped her cheeks startling her. "What is this new game of yours sir magician?"

"I didn't think you would admit it."

"Since you saw right through me, I saw no reason to hide it." Lillian trailed off. "Does it bother you?"

"A little."

"Then I will give you something to cheer you up."

Lillian raised her hand and a small wave of light appeared causing a small book covered in red letters of unknown origin to appear in the air.

Lucas immediately grabbed the book. "This is-"

"Right? It is different from the ones we are looking for, but I believe it will be useful."

"You swiped this off him?"

"No, the Empress sent it to me the other day. It seemed Aaron sent this book to her. But the dark mana inside it was causing her son harm so she sent it to me to analyze."

"Right she did mention getting a package. Huh, I never thought I would find this book here."

"What is it about?"

"The legend of the thirteen demons. It contains not just the tale but even their spells." Lucas trailed off. "Why would he give this to-"

"Is it not obvious? The Empress has dark magic." Lillian finished for him.

Lucas looked around panicked and she chuckled. "I put up a sound barrier, nobody can hear us mr magician."

At those words Lucas seemed irritated and he mumbled something about her spells getting faster.

'If I told Lucas for awhile now all I had to do was conjure up an image in my head instead of reciting a spell, how would he react?' This is something that started during the time he was on his trip.

"But you know if there is a book like this for dark magic, there should be one for light too.. I think you need the light one."